Peter MacKay takes liberties with history in Bastille Day speech

David Pugliese, Postmedia News07.17.2012

Minister of Defence Peter MacKay, left, accompanied by French ambassador Philippe Zeller and his wife Odile Zeller, gives a speech to the crowd gathered at French embassy during the celebration of Bastille Day.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay has been getting attention for what some are calling his novel reworking of the War of 1812 — one where the French were apparently fighting side-by-side with the British in battling the American invaders.

There is only one problem with that, say those who attended MacKay's speech at the French embassy in Ottawa last week. The French supported the Americans in the War of 1812.

MacKay made his speech Friday as part of the embassy's celebration of Bastille Day (the French national holiday) but reports are just now trickling out about the alleged gaffe. The Ottawa Citizen received a number of emails from those who attended while MacLean's magazine reported on the speech on Monday.

Embassy magazine will have further details when it publishes on Wednesday.

MacKay praised France's government and the contribution the French made to the War of 1812. "Suffice it to say in the 200th commemoration of the War of 1812, had the French not been here fighting side by side, we might be standing here next to each other in a new light," MacKay told the audience, according to a tape recording made by Embassy.

But MacKay's office said he didn't make any gaffe. His office said he delivered a speech in English and French that touched "on the deep and unique bond that exists between Canada and France based on shared culture, values, history, and defence ties."

"He also noted that French played key roles in the War of 1812 alongside Canadians whose mother tongue was English," stated an email from MacKay's office. "The Voltigeurs of Lower Canada were in fact predominantly French-speaking, and were instrumental in repelling American invaders at the Battle of Chateauguay in 1813."

MacLean's magazine suggested that might be the route MacKay would take to escape any embarrassment.

"It will take some creative spinning to argue MacKay had a clue what he was talking about," noted Michael Petrou, the magazine's foreign affairs writer. "French Canadians fought hard and well against the American invasion of Canada, notably at the Battle of the Chateauguay. But these men were generations removed from France and showed it little loyalty. The biggest effect France had on their lives was that when Napoleon took on Britain, America felt emboldened to go to war against them."

The Conservative government is highlighting the War of 1812 as a defining moment in Canadian history. The eventual success in fighting back the American invaders "laid the foundation for Confederation and the emergence of our country as an independent and free nation," according to James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage.

It's not the first time a MacKay gaffe has been noticed. Last year a video posted on YouTube showed MacKay telling former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that California and British Columbia have a "shared border."

Schwarzenegger later politely pointed out that the states of Oregon and Washington are located between California and B.C.

Saskatoon loves its Christmas lights. The Enchanted Forest draws thousands of vehicles each week. The late Bob Hinitt worked for months building his light display, which drew thousands of cars each year to Wiggins Avenue. And Scott Lambie on Clinkskill Drive has continued the tradition with more than 70,000 dancing lights (up from 50,000 last […]

When it comes to gift giving, they say it’s the thought that counts. But many are wondering if Mayor Drew Dilkens was thinking at all when he gave Olympic superstar Michael Phelps — whose battles with booze are well known — a big bottle of Canadian Club whisky.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.